Company History

With a legacy dating back to 1799, we have a history of demonstrating leadership during times of both economic growth and financial instability.

At J.P. Morgan, we have been helping our clients to do first-class business for more than 200 years. Throughout that period, we have taken a long-term approach to client solutions – providing committed, innovative and consistent advice and execution to our clients at all times. We look forward to providing our clients with first-class service over the next 200 years.

As a firm, we have a history of showing leadership, especially during times of financial crisis. We continue to build on that legacy. From our earliest days, we have contributed to business, society and world affairs. Our actions have always been driven by the desire to do the right thing for today and tomorrow.

Key Moments in J.P. Morgan History

2011

J.P. Morgan celebrates the 90th anniversary of the firm's presence in China.

2010

J.P. Morgan Cazenove becomes a wholly-owned part of J.P. Morgan, having originally operated as a joint venture between J.P. Morgan and the U.K. investment bank Cazenove.

J.P. Morgan merges with The Chase Manhattan Corporation and is named JPMorgan Chase and Co. Four years later, the company merges with Bank One, creating a global financial services leader.

1996

The firm jointly leads the first “century” bond for a sovereign borrower – a 100-year, $100 million issue for the People’s Republic of China.

1990

J.P. Morgan plays an active role in the negotiations with Mexico to restructure nearly $50 billion in medium- and long-term commercial bank debt. A first in the market, the new bonds become known as Brady Bonds.

1989

J.P. Morgan ranks among Fortune's 50 Best Companies for Minorities. The firm is regularly recognized as a leading employer of women, minorities, and LGBT employees.

1980

Predecessor firm Hambrecht & Quist (H&Q) takes Apple Computer public.

1973

Chase opens a representative office in Moscow, the first Russian presence for a U.S. bank since the 1920s; Chase also becomes the first U.S. correspondent to the Bank of China since the 1949 Chinese revolution.

1968

The firm launches Euroclear, a system for the orderly settlement of transactions in Eurobonds.

1955

Chase National Bank merges with The Bank of the Manhattan Company to form Chase Manhattan Bank.

1929

Two Ohio institutions merge to form City National Bank & Trust, a predecessor of Bank One.

1927

Guaranty Trust Company, a predecessor firm of J.P. Morgan, pioneers the concept of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), which enables Americans to invest in foreign securities directly on U.S. exchanges.

1915

J.P. Morgan arranges the biggest foreign loan in history – a $500 million Anglo/French loan.

1907

During the financial panic of 1907, J. Pierpont Morgan saves several trust companies and a leading brokerage house from insolvency, bails out New York City, and rescues the New York Stock Exchange.

1906

J.P. Morgan is central to the creation of U.S. Steel, GE and AT&T.

1903

J.P. Morgan & Co. was appointed as fiscal agent for the newly independent Republic of Panama in 1903 and was subsequently selected by the U.S. Treasury Secretary to arrange the transfer of $40 million from the U.S. government to the French Panama Canal Co. This was the largest real estate deal at the time.

1901

J.P. Morgan creates the world's first billion-dollar corporation by buying out industrialist Andrew Carnegie and combining some 33 companies to create United States Steel.

J. Pierpont Morgan and Philadelphia banker Anthony Drexel form a private merchant banking partnership in New York called Drexel, Morgan & Co. This is the earliest partnership that evolves into J.P. Morgan.

1848

The Waterbury Bank opens, a predecessor of the Chase Manhattan Bank.

1824

The Chemical Bank is established.

1799

The Manhattan Company, the firm’s earliest predecessor institution, is chartered.

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